Key Takeaways:
– Laura Dern quit UCLA two days in to pursue her acting career.
– She landed her breakout role in David Lynch’s Blue Velvet.
– Despite facing initial challenges, this decision kick-started her successful career.
– Blue Velvet is now considered an essential study in film-making at UCLA.
Picture this: Laura Dern, a shining star in the film industry, was once a typical college freshman. However, her path took a dramatic whirl after just two days at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Choosing artistic passion over academic curiosity, Dern left the university to embark on her journey of becoming a Hollywood sensation.
A Dream Opportunity Comes Knocking
Laura Dern has played numerous memorable roles throughout her career, but her first major breakthrough came from director David Lynch’s film, Blue Velvet. However, landing the role wasn’t a walk in the park. On the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast, Dern shared encounters with UCLA’s reluctance to grant her a leave of absence to work on the film. Despite promising to complete all her academic responsibilities, the university refused her request, calling it “insane” to ditch college for an acting gig.
Gamble That Paid Off
Undeterred, our tenacious protagonist quit college to pursue her passion in film. Not only did Blue Velvet cement Dern’s position in the movie industry, but it also earned her a nomination for an Independent Spirit Award.
Ironically, today, UCLA film students are required to study Blue Velvet amongst other cinematic classics for their masters in film. Whether it’s a fact or mere folklore is yet to be confirmed. Nevertheless, the film has significantly outrun other contemporaries like Grizzly II: Revenge.
Riding on Acting Genes
Now, Laura wasn’t entirely alien to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. Indeed, she had acting in her genes. Being the daughter of renowned actors Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd, Laura had an early exposure to the world of acting. Her first stint before the cameras was in Ladd’s White Lightning.
However, her decision for higher studies in psychology and journalism showcased her broad intellectual pursuits. In retrospect, it appears Laura’s leap of faith to quit UCLA turned out to be beneficial as Blue Velvet became a major milestone in her career.
Lasting Legacy of Blue Velvet
Created by one of cinema’s most unique visionaries, David Lynch, Blue Velvet remains one of the greatest films ever made. Its artistic portrayal of violence and abuse continues to divide viewers, thus marking its enigmatic stance. Notably, Laura Dern’s association with Lynch in creations like Wild at Heart, Inland Empire, and Twin Peaks: The Return has positioned her as a powerful artist in the industry.
To sum it up, Laura Dern’s journey from a fleeting stint at UCLA to grasping an opportunity that marked her acting legacy is intriguing. Her story is a testament to her determination and dauntless spirit that led to stardom. And let’s not forget, while Laura did miss out on the typical dorm experience, she got the best that Hollywood had to offer! In this case, it seems like “Blue Velvet” was indeed a better choice than a cap and gown.
